I agree with what you’re saying, but I have a comment on the last paragraph.
I think it’s necessary to confront Americans with this. If they’re coddled and allowed to continue existing in a world where their exceptionalism is treated as the default, there’s no chance they’ll ever change. I think at least online they should be force to confront the idea that, to many people in the world, their country is a despicable force of evil and destruction.
Beyond that, I’m tired of spaces online revolving around Americans, their news, their political opinions, and their chauvinistic worldview. There are 8 billion people in the world, and I think Americans are the ones who should have to reckon with the fact that perspectives which conflict with theirs are just as, if not more, valid. When they’re catered to in spaces like this, they keep coming back and spewing more chauvinism, which makes the spaces hostile to everyone else.
Of course, this depends on where and how and who I’m talking to, as well as the purpose of the conversation.
You are right IMO that it’s very much like white fragility and also disproportionately a problem with white Americans.
People are people, and most Americans are people.
Haha, just caught that little bit of flair at the end of your comment. Good one.
I get where you’re coming from, but as you also mentioned it depends on the purpose of the conversation.
I think it was Napoleon who said to never interrupt your enemy when they’re making a mistake.
Obviously we’re in for a rough few years, and it sucks for the sensible Americans even if they should do more to fight for what’s right, but ultimately the rampant chauvinism and exceptionalism is accelerating American imperial decline.
It’s a bit like the guy who keeps bragging about how big his dick is. Sure you could tell them it makes the ladies drier than a bag of saw dust, but perhaps it’s for the best that you don’t stop him.
I know this is a bit controversial, but I think this is why Trump’s partly been a blessing in disguise. He’s so disgusting that it’s become impossible for politicians in allied countries to continue pretending America is a bastion of freedom. They can longer pretend the US considers its allies as much more than client states.
Fair points. To be honest, my main concern when commenting in spaces like these is the state of “leftist” spaces, since that’s what’s directly affected by the act of commenting. I think allowing the chauvinism to run unchecked without being confronted makes these spaces quite painful to inhabit, especially for those targeted by that chauvinism.
Related to what you’ve said, I’ve got one of the classics from the Chinese internet… You might enjoy it in the unlikely event you haven’t seen it before.
Remember JDPON Don. Internationalists are in control. Trust the plan.
It’s hard. I wish we could kick them in the nuts over the internet. Not because it would necessarily change anything, but so that the rest of us could be a bit less stressed about it all.
It’s hard. I wish we could kick them in the nuts over the internet. Not because it would necessarily change anything, but so that the rest of us could be a bit less stressed about it all.
I agree with what you’re saying, but I have a comment on the last paragraph.
I think it’s necessary to confront Americans with this. If they’re coddled and allowed to continue existing in a world where their exceptionalism is treated as the default, there’s no chance they’ll ever change. I think at least online they should be force to confront the idea that, to many people in the world, their country is a despicable force of evil and destruction.
Beyond that, I’m tired of spaces online revolving around Americans, their news, their political opinions, and their chauvinistic worldview. There are 8 billion people in the world, and I think Americans are the ones who should have to reckon with the fact that perspectives which conflict with theirs are just as, if not more, valid. When they’re catered to in spaces like this, they keep coming back and spewing more chauvinism, which makes the spaces hostile to everyone else.
Of course, this depends on where and how and who I’m talking to, as well as the purpose of the conversation.
You are right IMO that it’s very much like white fragility and also disproportionately a problem with white Americans.
Haha, just caught that little bit of flair at the end of your comment. Good one.
I get where you’re coming from, but as you also mentioned it depends on the purpose of the conversation. I think it was Napoleon who said to never interrupt your enemy when they’re making a mistake.
Obviously we’re in for a rough few years, and it sucks for the sensible Americans even if they should do more to fight for what’s right, but ultimately the rampant chauvinism and exceptionalism is accelerating American imperial decline.
It’s a bit like the guy who keeps bragging about how big his dick is. Sure you could tell them it makes the ladies drier than a bag of saw dust, but perhaps it’s for the best that you don’t stop him.
I know this is a bit controversial, but I think this is why Trump’s partly been a blessing in disguise. He’s so disgusting that it’s become impossible for politicians in allied countries to continue pretending America is a bastion of freedom. They can longer pretend the US considers its allies as much more than client states.
Fair points. To be honest, my main concern when commenting in spaces like these is the state of “leftist” spaces, since that’s what’s directly affected by the act of commenting. I think allowing the chauvinism to run unchecked without being confronted makes these spaces quite painful to inhabit, especially for those targeted by that chauvinism.
Related to what you’ve said, I’ve got one of the classics from the Chinese internet… You might enjoy it in the unlikely event you haven’t seen it before.
Remember JDPON Don. Internationalists are in control. Trust the plan.
Yeah. You also have a point.
It’s hard. I wish we could kick them in the nuts over the internet. Not because it would necessarily change anything, but so that the rest of us could be a bit less stressed about it all.
Like the meme. Thanks.